brennan



(No Model.)

- .W. F. BRENNAN.

COMBINED WATCH KEY AND GROSS-BAR FOR WATGH cums. 0;274,90s. Patented Apr. s; 1883.

INVENTEJR.

N. FEIERS. Hwlo-Lilhographr, wahingmn p/c- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

' WILLIAM F. BRENNAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO JAMES H. BRENNAN, OF SAME PLACE.

COMBINED WATCH-KEY AND CROSS-BAR FORWATCH-CHAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,903, dated April 3, 1883. V i Application filed February 12, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern HIS Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. BRENNAN, of the city and county of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Combination of a Watch-Key and Cross-Bar for VVateh-Ghains; and I declare the following to be a specification thereof, reference beinghad to the accomcross-bar of a watch-chain with a watch-key.

[tconsistsot'atubular cross-bar made in two separable parts, to one of which is permanently affixed a stem of a watch -'key, and into the other of which said key is insertedand locked therein by the action of a spring, as hereinafter fully specified.

In the drawings, A represents a portion of a cross-bar. It is madetubular, havinga hollow knob, a, or other ornamentation atone end, and a hollow band or head, b, at its open end, to which band b the eye or ring 0 is fastened, for the attachment of the watch chain. The remaining portion, B, of the cross-bar con sists of astraight tube, closed at one end by the hollow knob a or other ornamentation, the open end of said tube B being made with a diameter allowing it to snugly fitinto the' open end of the tubular bar A, as shown in Fig. 1.

A watch-key, G, is titted within the open end of thetube B, and fastened thereto by the pin (1, thus forming a continuous piece with the tube B, as shown in Fig.2. A bow'spring, D, bent as shown'in Fig. 1, is contained within the tube B, and the stem of the watch-key (J, as appears in section in Fig. 1, the bow of said spring passing through slots cc of the key and tube B, respectively, and projecting slightly beyond and out of said slots, as shown. The spring D thus has a slight vertical play, and can be depressed so as to bring its bow flush with the outer surface of the tube B. When not in use the keyportion, Fig. 2, is sheathed in the tube A, the key entering the open end. of the tube or sheath A until the spring Den gages with the inner surface of the band or head 12, thus locking the parts A B together.

To detach the parts, when itis desired to use the key, the tube B is withdrawn from the tube A, and the bow of the spring D is thereby depressed within the slots e c and the key portion B O is disengaged. When .the two parts are" connected as described, they form acrossbar of usual appearance, the key being wholly concealed lrom view and securely locked in position but when detached the parts B 0 form a watchkey, which can be handled and used as'freely as a key of common shape and construction. The sheath A covers and protects the key 0 from dust and other clogging substances with which a common watch key is liable '10 be more or less filled, and the insertion of the key in the sheath, as described, is safer and more convenient than carrying it looselyin the pocket or in any other common manner.

Although the style of cross-bar shown in the drawings is best adapted to my invention, any other style may be used which afl'ords an interior tubular space for the insertion of the key and spring and the locking of the parts together.

I do not wish to confine myself to any particular form of spring. I prefer to use a bow spring, as described 5 but any other spring having the same function would obviously be a mere equivalent and within my invention.

I claim as a novel and useful invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A separable tubular cross bar made in two parts,held in engagement by a spring, one

part carrying a. watch-key and the other forming asheatli t'orsaid key, substantially as specified.

2. The combined cross ebar and watch key herein described, consisting of the tube A, having the bead b and ring 0, the slotted tube B, provided with the slotted watch-key G, and the springD, arranged and operating substantially as shown, and for the purpose specified.

WILLIAM F. BRENNAN.

Witnesses:

WARREN R. Pnaon, WILLIAM B. W. HALLETT. 

